Police seek suspects after flash mob robs Iowa store

July 11, 2018

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — Police in eastern Iowa are looking for members of a mob of up to 40 people that swarmed into a Cedar Rapids convenience store, stealing items and destroying property in just seconds.

The Des Moines Register reports that the incident happened around 10:30 July 3 following a nearby fireworks show. Police say surveillance video of the Casey’s General Store shows a large group of young people entering the store, grabbing items from shelves and refrigerated coolers and rushing back out of the store’s doors — knocking over displays on the way out. From start to finish, the incident took less than 90 seconds.

The store’s two clerks appeared powerless to stop the crowd.

Police say one juvenile has been arrested, but they’re seeking the public’s help in identifying others involved.